Dolphins Kick Their Way To Victory Over the Bengals, 22-14

The offense managed one touchdown, but a win is a win.

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Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis celebrates as he leaves the field following their 22-14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

Dan Carpenter's five field goals were enough for the kings of the road.

Carpenter kicked five for the second game in a row — a rare NFL feat — and the Miami Dolphins managed to overcome another goofy play Sunday, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 22-14 to remain perfect on the road.

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At home last week, Miami (4-3) lost after a disputed play. Ben Roethlisberger's touchdown was ruled a fumble on review, but the Steelers kept the ball and kicked a field goal for a 23-22 win, offsetting Carpenter's five field goals.

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The defense made sure Carpenter's next five were enough.

The Bengals (2-5) failed to get a first down in the third quarter and were shut out in the second half. Their final chance ended with Carson Palmer's interception with 2:43 to go, sending the defending AFC North champions to their fourth straight loss.

It's Cincinnati's worst start since 2008, when Palmer was sidelined with an elbow injury.

Carpenter was perfect from 38, 42, 24, a career-best 54 and 31 yards. The five field goals were second-most by a Dolphins kicker — Olindo Mare made six against New England in 1999. The 54-yarder tied for third-longest in team history — Pete Stoyanovich made them from 59 and 58 yards.

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Carpenter is the ninth kicker since 1950 to make 10 field goals in back-to-back games, according to STATS LLC. No kicker has more.

His dependable leg has guided Miami through an unusual start — 4-0 on the road, 0-3 at home. It got Miami past another strange play that could have turned the game.

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The Bengals scored on their opening drive for the first time all season, finishing with Palmer's 7-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Owens. That's all they earned on their own.

Late in the second quarter, Palmer severely underthrew a long pass to Owens. The ball went right into the arms of safety Chris Clemons and kept going — through his arms, off his chest, off his thigh, and off his hand as he fell. The ball ended up in Owens' arms, and he jogged the last few steps to complete a 37-yard scoring play, smiling and nodding over the good fortune and a 14-6 lead.

He didn't know the Bengals' offense was finished.

Cincinnati failed to pick up a first down in the third quarter, when Carpenter's fifth kick made it 15-14. The Bengals had a final chance, getting to the Miami 22-yard line before Palmer's pass toward Owens was picked off by Sean Smith. Palmer was 17 of 38 for 156 yards.

Chad Henne got Miami its clinching touchdown, leading a 96-yard drive in the fourth quarter that included four big plays — Henne to Brandon Marshall for 25 yards, Henne to Brian Hartline for 24, Hartline on a reverse for 30 yards, and Ricky Williams up the middle for 30 more. Williams' 1-yard run made it 22-14.